‘Salary hike for CPC employees’

Nadira Gunatilleke

Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) employees’ salaries will be increased this year. The salary increase will be given in five installments. One installment was granted last year, Petroleum Industries Minister Susil Premajayantha told the Daily News yesterday.

According to Minister Premajayantha, employees’ welfare is one of the key areas that will receive special attention this year.

“Several steps will be taken this year to ensure the smooth functioning of the CPC and Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminal Limited,” he said. Minister Premajayantha pointed out that certain problems arose last year because many key positions in the CPC fell vacant.

A new full time Chief Executive Officer, a new financial controller and other key officials will be appointed early this year to fill vacancies in the CPC. The entire management system of the CPC will be reorganized this year, the minister said.

Discussions are on between the government and governments of oil producing countries to obtain oil for the best rates favourable to the country.

The government will have long-term contracts with public organizations of those countries to ensure a smooth supply and to avoid any shortage of petroleum products, Minister Premajayantha added.